overdose

1 of 2

noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
Synonyms of overdosenext
1
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
2
: an excessive quantity or amount
an overdose of fun
overdosage
ˌō-vər-ˈdō-sij How to pronounce overdose (audio)
noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on

Examples of overdose in a Sentence

Noun She died from a cocaine overdose.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The couple married following several difficult years for Harrison, including the death of his son Adam in January 2024 at 39 from an accidental fentanyl overdose after years of struggling with addiction. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Maryland more than doubled its naloxone distribution between 2021 and 2025, including via vending machines, emergency medical services, and programs in which public safety personnel provide the drug to people at the scene of an overdose. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Despite being well aware of the presence and danger of the drug within the jail system, the Sheriff’s Department failed to act urgently when Matus was overdosing, his family alleged. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Authorities have not addressed whether Panettiere overdosed Sunday. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overdose

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdose was in 1700

Rhymes for overdose

See All Rhymes for overdose

Browse Nearby Words

overdoor
overdose
overdraft
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
1
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
2
: to take or experience an overdose
overdosed on heroin

Medical Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun
over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sun—Morris Fishbein
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on

More from Merriam-Webster on overdose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overdose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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